NARRATIVE
"Oh Scarlett, I see you're dressed for work already." Scarlett stopped midway her walk down the stairs on hearing Harriet's words. She looked down at her supposed stepmother, who had just walked out of the kitchen and had a happy grin plastered all over her face.
Of course it's fake, Scarlett could tell. She just stared at Harriet with an unconcerned expression. Scarlett couldn't even fake that she cares about this woman who shortened her mother's life and ruined her biological family.
On seeing Scarlett wouldn't say a word to her, Harriet immediately added.
"I prepared breakfast for everyone today, please come down to the dinning room let's eat as the lovely family we are." Scarlett felt greatly irritated by her hypocrisy but she kept on a calm but unconcerned expression.
"You don't have to worry about me today. I can't afford to be late at the office so I'll skip." She said and continued her elegant walk down the stairs.
"That can't be helped then. I did put a lot of effort for everyone today considering the hectic activities we've all engaged in this few weeks." She tried to feign hurt but seeing Scarlett wasn't paying attention to her she added. "Anyway, I guess we can do this some other time." Scarlett merely mumbled an hmm before she exited the living area.
She was in no mood to entertain Harriet's hypocrisy.
Harriet watched her retreating figure with a painful expression on.
"Stupid girl. You think I wanted to ever be nice to you or even make breakfast for you?! It's all because of the plan. I need to gain your trust same way I got your mother's so I can end you easily without any traces leading back to me!" Harriet screamed within her, her long nails digging into the flesh of her palm due to how badly she clenched her fist.
After some more seconds of watching her leave, she turned around and got startled to see her daughter standing few feet from her.
"Imogen." She said.
"Mum, what's going on? I saw you talking with Scarlett." Imogen said but within her she called Scarlett 'Scar' out of contempt of course.
"Nothing much dear. I was only inviting your elder sister for breakfast but she had to hurry along for work. You're not in a hurry too are you? Ashton left already and you know your father seldom comes home."
Imogen listened to what her mother said and couldn't believe her ears. Ashton was already so close to Scarlett and now, their mother too?
She felt bitter within her and immediately wanted to put her plan into action but she knew she couldn't avoid having breakfast with her Mum.
"Alright Mum," She said forcing a smile so her Mother wouldn't get mad at her like previously.
She could deal with Scarlett on her own...
SCARLETT'S POV
Immediately I arrived the company, Madame Freya was already waiting for me. She hurriedly pulled me along to the private study room Dad arranged for me. Lexi was there too.
"Shall we begin?" She asked after a brief moment of exchanging pleasantries and joking around.
"Sure," I said, crossing my legs while I lean back on my chair.
"Firstly, we'll be talking about what you should know before becoming a CEO." She began.
"A CEO should be decisive, ready for impact, should adapt pro actively and be sure to deliver reliably. A CEO ought to exhibit a courageous, passionate and intensity personality. The CEO ought to be able to strategize..." I listened keenly as Madame Freya went on to explain in details to me all it takes to become a good CEO, sometimes she makes illustrations on the small marker board and so far, her teachings are excellent.
She went on to explain the main responsibilities of a Chief Executive Officer, which includes managing a company's overall operations. Such as delegating and directing agendas, driving profitability, communicating with the board and etcetera.
By the end of the first lesson, my knowledge had broaden as I find there's a lot I need to learn and even much more to do.
About an hour later, Lexi brought me to the secret underground hacking room I'm just learning of, on my father's command.
I was in awe as my eyes beheld the scenery of the large hall like computer lab, filled with diverse computer servers and latest technological devices.
"Where's everyone?" I asked her immediately and she smiled.
"They've been instructed by the chairman, not to come today. You understand we need every privacy as we can get." She said, stopping on her stride and facing a section of monitors.
"Let's get to work then," I said and she gave me a slight nod.
"Please sit down," she ushered me a revolving chair and I sat down before she sat down beside me and began her work on the systems.
"Who are we starting with Ms Grey?" She asked.
"Let's start with the general secretary, Gordon Paul."
_____
"Hey! Come here quickly." Imogen shouted to the maid in care of Scarlett's room.
It was mid afternoon and she had just returned home with her bestfriend Yori and was bent on making her plans a reality. She was glad to find her Mother wasn't in.
"Yes Ms." The maid said, scurrying over with a low bow. She had just finished cleaning Scarlett's room and was heading out to do her laundry when Imogen confronted her.
"Give me the key." She said and the stunned maid looked up in confusion. She had been instructed by the chairman not to give out the spare key to anyone else other than himself or his oldest daughter__the occupant of the room. While she deliberated on what to do so as not to incur the terrifying wrath of the Ms. before her, Imogen was losing her patience and was glaring daggers at her.
"Are you daft or what? Didn't you hear me?!" She yelled and the maid trembled instantly, dropping the basket containing Scarlett's laundry on the floor.
Yori just observed from her side. There wasn't any point talking to Imogen. She would still do what she wanted.
"I'm sorry Ma'am but the chairman..." Highly irritated and out of patience, Imogen forcefully retrieved the key from the maid's pocket and pushed her away.
"Not a word of this to anyone. Try me and you might as well lose your life." She threatened.
The maid nodded fearfully, bowing low as she trembled. Not wanting to incur her wrath any longer, she picked up the basket of clothes and hurried away.
Imogen unlocked the door and walked into the room with Yori right beside her.
It was the first time she was entering the room that was once her father's first wife's room. Reason being, her dad was really strict and protective around it. He never let anyone inside__not even the maids. He did the cleaning himself and was the only one in possession of the key until, Scarlett came over.
Imogen didn't have time to think about why he did that. She was more concerned about what she had in mind presently.
Looking around, she couldn't deny that the room was magnificent, befitting a queen even more beautiful than her mother's. But right now, she couldn't care less how magnificent her stepsister's room looked. She had other important stuffs to do.
She smirked as she stride around the big room, her eyes searching for a door.
"Found it!" Her smirk became more intense as she carelessly dropped her purse on Scarlett's reading desk and walked towards the door of her interest.